Xi urges officials to reach out

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, presides over a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee from June 22 to 25, 2013 in Beijing, capital of China. Photo: Xinhua

Members of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee were urged to maintain close ties with the people by Party chief Xi Jinping on Tuesday.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Central Committee, made the remarks in a four-day meeting that concluded on Tuesday on implementing the rules to fight bureaucratism and formalism.

The Political Bureau, which stands at the highest level of political life of the Party and the country, should understand the condition of the people and remain down-to-earth, said a statement, adding that it should put into practice the notion that it works for the public and assumes power for the people, always put the people in a dominant place, and bring into play the initiatives of the people.

Efforts should be made to solve the most direct and practical problems that people care most, so that the public can enjoy the real benefits, it said.

Wang Yukai, a professor with the Chinese Academy of Governance, told the Global Times that it is urgently necessary for the Party to highlight close ties with the people at this moment, as distrust has been ignited due to corruptions and officials' dereliction of duty.

Whether the resolution can be implemented among the army of government employees is crucial, said Wang.

Political Bureau members are required to strictly follow the rules and spruce up their work styles by simplifying meetings and speeches, standardizing leaders' overseas visits, improving news coverage of leaders' work, and exercising thrift, the statement said.

Zhang Xixian, a professor with the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, told the Global Times that improving the Party image by eradicating corruption at the root and maintaining a frugal work style is a critical way to keep firm and close relationship with the public.

"The extravagance of some members has estranged the Party from the people. The meeting shows the decisiveness of top leaders to change and improve its work and the Party's progressiveness," Zhang said.

Liu Zonghong, a professor with the Party School of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, noted that the Party is constantly increasing its requirements towards itself. "The sporadically tense relations between the Party and the people should arouse its vigilance, as it involves the root of the Party's ruling status."

Liu believed it lays an important political base for realizing the "Chinese dream," a goal that the Party cannot achieve without the people's support.

Xi also urged Political Bureau members to carry out criticism and self-criticism in an open manner, summing up experiences and lessons and sharing thoughts to promote solidarity and do work better.